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Distance Student Orientation

We are excited that you made Western Carolina University your choice for online learning.
By navigating through the following links, you will discover resources to help you
get started as a new online student at WCU. These resources and student support services
are available to you, whether you are across campus or across the country!

Distance Learning Services is here to help you! If after reviewing this information
you have a question and are not sure who to contact, contact us! We will answer your
question or get you connected directly to someone who can assist you. Distance Learning
Services can be reached at 828-227-7397 or distance@wcu.edu

getting started

myWCUmyWCU is the WCU Student portal where you can do almost everything you need. From
registration and bill paying to updating your contact information and applying for
graduation, myWCU is the place to conduct most of your business. Learn more on the myWCU log-in page.

BlackboardWCU posts our courses in Blackboard. You will not be able to access your courses until
the first scheduled day of classes. You can view a quick Introduction to Blackboard to help get you started. Once you are registered for a class, inside of Blackboard,
you can view the Blackboard Student Readiness Module to help get you used to using
this important tool. If you have trouble, check to the Known Issues, or you can contact the IT Help Desk at 828-227-7487.

Catamount EmailAll WCU students have a student email account. For security reasons, this will be
the primary tool we use for communication about your student records, waitlists, reminders,
and all other student information. It is essential for your success that you check
your Catamount email regularly.

Contact the Office of Accessibility Resources if you require accommodations based on a documentable disability. Your information
will remain confidential and secure, and you will never be required to disclose your
disability unless you require accommodations.

Computer RequirementsAll WCU students must own a computer that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for your program. If you do not already own a computer with these specs, then we offer some assistance
for Student and Personal Computer Purchases.If you have any trouble with your computer
or any of WCU's online services, please contact the IT Department.

IT Services offers free software downloads, for programs such as Audacity, Gimp, and Linux. We also offer a free download of
the Microsoft Office Suite which is available in your student email. Simply click on the Office 365 Logo in the top-left corner of the email homepage.
You can use the web-based apps, or you can click the drop down box in the top-right
corner to download the complete suite for your home computer.

Academic Policies

Distance Learning students are expected to follow the same academic policies as campus
students. It is the responsibility of every student to understand the academic policies
of Western Carolina University. We have outlined the most common Academic Policies for Distance Students. We strongly encourage students to review the undergraduate college catalog to become familiar with all of the academic policies.

AlcoholEDU and HAVEN Training

WCU requires all students 23-years-old, or under, to complete these two courses before
beginning classes. Students 24-years-old, and older, are required to complete the
HAVEN training but not AlcoholEDU. Instructions and links to the training will arrive
in your Catamount email shortly after you have been admitted. You can also click the
links below for FAQ and to log in. You must complete these trainings before the deadline
or you will not be able to register for the next term. If you are a student in one
of our Graduate Programs, you can qualify for a waiver for these courses. Please contact
the Graduate School (grad@wcu.edu) for more information.

Advising and registration

Check for HoldsOccasionally, myWCU will deliver an error or hold message when you try to register
for a class. You can use our guide to Troubleshoot Holds and Registration Restriction messages. In most cases, you can get holds lifted with a phone call or email to the
appropriate office. In some cases, you might need to call the Distance Learning Office
(866.928.4723) for more information and instructions on how to get holds lifted. Graduate
students can contact the Graduate School (828.227.7398) for questions regarding holds.

Degree Audit You can check your degree requirements and your progress toward completion using the
degree audit. Please note that it can take four to six weeks for the Registrar's Office to apply
all of your transfer credit. Therefore, the first time you run the audit it might
not accurately reflect the credits awarded for your transfer work. You'll need to
use your knowledge of what you've taken and advice from your advisor to make an educated
guess about which classes to take your first semester, if your audit has not populated
by the time you are wanting to register. Check out our video guide to viewing your Degree Audit:

Check out our video walk-through of the Degree Audit:

Searching for Classes

Class schedules usually post about a month before the start of registration for any
semester. Once you have checked your degree audit, you will want to check the schedule
to see what is available. Check out this video tutorial on how to use the Searchable
Schedule of Classes:

Who is my Advisor?Any student in an Undergraduate or Graduate program will be assigned an advisor based
on their program of study. Here is a guide to the advisors for each program: Undergraduate Distance Academic Advisors

How to RegisterNew students are allowed to register once open enrollment begins, after priority registration.
Continuing students will be issued a Time Ticket based on the number of hours needed
to complete their degree requirements. Time tickets will be available in myWCU before
registration begins. Registration is a student-driven process, so it is essential
you view a degree audit and the online class schedules before selecting courses and/or contacting your advisor.

Pay for ClassesUndergraduate students: Once you register, we will generate a bill based on the current Tuition and Fees rate. Of course, it will take some time for that bill to be viewable. The Billing and Payment Schedule is based on when you register and when the semester begins. Be sure to make a note
of the due dates so that you are not dropped for non-payment. Also, be sure to review
the Financing Your Education information below to learn more about Financial Aid,
Scholarships, and other payment methods. Graduate students: Payment is due the first day of classes and can be paid in myWCU or through OneStop.

financing your education

Financial AidFor students who wish to apply for Federal Student Aid, your first stop is the Financial
Aid Office. You can also check their Frequently Asked Questions page for quick answers
to the most common questions.

FAFSA The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the first step to take for all federal
or state based financial aid including, Pell Grants, Perkins Loans, and Stafford Loans.
The application opens for the following academic year in early January, so make sure
and file early.